Back
Row:: Left to Right: A friend; and Reverend Conway,
3rd Row: Fred and Eva; Dewitt; Irvin and Ronnie;
Russell and Clemmie; Ira; Mattie and Iva Lou.
2nd Row: Cousins, Clay and Jettie; Steve, Nita, and Georgia;
H. E. and Betty McAfee; Edmond, Ollie, Rufus.
1st Row: Claris; Marcelle; youngest son Richard; Maurine, Ruth.
Photo from the
Collection of Herman McAfee Daniel
In the fall of 1869,
following a year's stay in Arkansas from Mississippi, the
Hugh McDuffie McAfee family joined a wagon train that inched its way
toward Texas and Navarro County. They settled in the soon to
be named Emmett Community where the unmarried twenty-one year old,
Hugh Embury, purchased his first hundred acres with silver dollars
borrowed from neighbors and where the single log cabin that housed
the school and church was situated. Shortly he married
Elizabeth Groves, fifteen year old daughter of a Corsicana
Cumberland Presbyterian minister [Richard
B. Groves]. In 1886, the couple purchased an adjoining
hundred acres and promptly gave to the growing community four choice
acres, designated for "school and church purposes" where a single
dwelling became the school and on Sunday the two congregations,
Methodist and Baptist, met. In 1888 he donated two acres for
the Emmett Cemetery [Prairie
Grove Cemetery], and later in 1898, an additional two acres for
a new Methodist Church and parsonage, with its deed reading as
follows: "Of the love we bear for the cause of Christ and from an
earnest desire to promote his heritage on earth, we give ---."
A deeply religious
man, he named some of his sons, Ira, Dewitt, Irvin, Edmond, Rufus,
Richard - after Methodist Bishops; and some of his daughters -
Mattie, Eva, Clemmie, Georgia, Ollie - from Methodist missionaries.
A musician himself, he taught each daughter save one to play the
piano an each son to play other musical instruments. Both a
church and community leader, he was active as a song leader in
Sunday School and at revivals and taught singing schools. A
composer, he wrote words and music to four gospel hymns.
Methodist preachers, assigned to the Emmett circuit, found the
McAfee home a welcome place to visit. Indeed one minister, W.
E. Hawkins, later of Radio Revival KRLD, lived in the McAfee home
some three months before his marriage, where Betty McAfee was known
as an excellent cook and immaculate housekeeper.
Thus the McAfee
children "played church," learned early to sing, and matured, all
having been born in Emmett, except Richard, the youngest who is a
native of Blooming Grove, where the "singing" McAfees moved for five
years so the older daughters could attend the finishing school
there. Each child was baptized in the Emmett Methodist Church,
and as each married remained life-long Methodists save one.
These eleven became active church participants with the girls
playing the piano or teaching classes and the sons leading the song
services or serving on boards. One son, Edmond, became a Methodist
minister and served in Arkansas. A daughter, Ollie, purchased
and gave to the Methodist Church at Emmett the organ and later
became Sunday School Superintendent at Brushie for over twenty
years. Another daughter, Clemmie, taught music at Emmett.
Three children became school teachers - Ira, Ollie, Rufus - with
Ollie teaching twenty-five years and Rufus, School Superintendent
and coach for thirty-five years. The sole surviving child,
Rufus, currently sings in the choir of the First Methodist in
Hillsboro.
Graham, in Young
County, played an important role in the life of this family for the
father bought a third farm near Graham and later five married
children - Georgia, Dee, Clemmie, Irvin, Richard - maintained homes
there simultaneously (other children - Ira, Eva, Edmond - having
lived in Graham at different times), with all being active in the
Methodist Church there. Later Georgia was to become to her
relatives the acknowledged matriarch of the clan. Often the
Emmett McAfees visited Graham, once traveling by surrey, a journey
that took a week, with the children walking beside the wagon to help
"pass the time." Two McAfee children graduated from Graham
High School, Ollie, salutatorian, in 1913; and later Rufus,
valedictorian, in 1923.
So lasting an
influence had their father on the children that several openly
expressed a desire to be buried near him. Thus four
generations of McAfees are buried in Emmett cemetery, including
three of the children - Ira, Eva, Ollie, the last named one beside
her father. And is was Mattie, the oldest, who lived to be
eighty-nine, who chose the epitaph for the parents' stone.
And Hugh Embury's
influence reached to grandchildren whose careers include public
school teachers and college professors, musicians, and artists.
Three of Ira's children taught school, Thelma, Vivian, Decherd, the
latter a chemistry professor at U.T.A. Another daughter,
Aletha, ;published a volume of poetry. Other teachers include
Mary G. Hill, daughter of Rufus, and Lometa Brinkley, daughter of
Irvin. College instructors include Wayne McAfee, art
instructor in Arkadelphia, and McAfee Daniel, English instructor and
chairman at Navarro College. Two are newspaper writers, Nita
Miller, daughter of Georgia, a and the late Claris Crist, daughter
of Eva. Another daughter of Eva, Ruth Nevins, currently
teaches piano in Dallas. Many of the grandchildren are
musically inclined, including Sue Allison of Dallas who possesses
significant piano ability. And Pat Stroder of Emmett is the
artist. Among great grandchildren hail a Ph.D., several school
teachers, an artist, a minister, a psychologist, and a former
football player for Southwest Conference.
The original McAfee
property in Emmett is still in the family with Pat and Aldrich
Stroder owning the "lower" place, and McAfee Daniel and Sue Allison,
the "home" place. And two descendants bear the given name of
McAfee, a grandson, McAfee Daniel; a great-grandson Joel McAfee
Stroder. Thus the McAfee clan, stretching from Navarro County
to Oregon, maintain a strong identity with close church ties and
often exerting a leading role in church and community - for
education and religion appear to be the indelible twin pillars most
influential in their legacy.
by
McAfee Daniel
Hugh
Embury McAfee Home
The original farm of 82 acres was purchased by H.
E. McAfee in 1886 with silver dollars at fifty cents an acre.
the land remains in the family and is co-owned by Sue Daniel and
McAfee Daniel. the home was built by the owner, H. E. McAfee,
with the assistance from a local carpenter, Mr. Wylie.
This story and a half frame structure was built
in 1907 and stood on the H. E. and Betty McAfee property directly
west of the Emmett Cemetery (Prairie Grove Cemetery). The
total price of construction was $2,200. Six rooms with
twelve-foot ceilings were downstairs and a bath. A wide hall
connected the front porch that fronted the house on the east and
south with the back porch. The upstairs was a single room..
Together they comprised some 3,200 square feet of living area.
Eight hundred pounds of nails were used in the
construction and a single chimney served two fireplaces in adjacent
rooms. This building remained the home of H. E. and
Betty McAfee and their eleven children.
In 1933 one of the sons-in-law and daughter,
Herman and Ollie Daniel, purchased the house and the eighty-two acre
farm where it remained in the family.
On December 6, 1961, the home was destroyed by
fire.
McAfee Daniel
From "An Update of our
McAfee Family"
HUGH EMBERRY McAFEE (1859 - 1926). Born in Mississippi, he came to
Blooming Grove in Navarro County. After one year, he bought and
moved with his bride, Elizabeth Rice Groves, to a black land farm at
Emmett. He was also a music teacher and wrote sacred songs, some of
which were published. All of his children were musicians and
singers. Ira and all the girls played piano, and the other boys
played violin and/or guitar or mandolin. Three children taught music
and three taught school. He donated the land for a Methodist church
where the present-day community church and cemetery are located. In
that cemetery the gravestones of Hugh McDuffee, Rosanna, Hugh
Emberry and Elizabeth are no more than twenty feet apart. [ Prairie
Grove Cemetery, Emmett, Navarro Co., TX ]
ELIZABETH RICE GROVES (1867-1929) was the daughter of Richard and
Pauline (Wharton) Groves. She and her three sisters were born in
Milford, where her father was a pastor of a church. After she
married, her sisters lived alone in the Emmett vicinity after their
father and mother left them there while they traveled with an
evangelist. The parents were never heard from again. One sister,
Ethel (1869-1923) married Pat Felton (1865) who was the son of Hugh
Emberry McAfee's sister Georgie Anna. After the death of his mother,
Pat went to live with his uncle, and was reared as part of the H.E.
McAfee family. The Feltons made their home Floydada, Texas. Another
sister, Lula, married a Mr. Cooper and lived in Plainview. The
youngest Sister, Pearl married David (Dave) Guinn and lived in
Graham.
Navarro County Death
Volume
Elizabeth Rice McAfee b 1-31-1867
daughter of R. Groves and Pauline Whorton
date of death 9-4-1932 (died of apoplexy)
buried at Emmett, Texas
See Navarro County History;
Volume II, pg 459 for Hugh Embury McAfee Family History
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MOTHER CORSICANA MAN BURIED MONDAY IN EMMETT CEMETERY
Mrs. Bettie McAfee, mother of I. D.
McAfee of this city, passed away Sunday, Sept 4, at the home of her
daughter, Mrs. Herman Daniel of Emmett. The funeral service was
conducted by Rev. W. O. Waddill, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal
church of Dawson, and she was buried in the Emmett cemetery Monday at 3
o'clock p.m.
She is survived by 11 children, I. D. McAfee, Corsicana; Mrs.
Arthur Fagola, Blooming Grove; Mrs. Fred Mitchell, San Antonio; Mrs.
Russell Smith, San Angelo; Mrs. Steve Johnson, Graham; Mrs. Herman
Daniel, Emmett; T. D. McAfee, Graham; H. I. McAfee, Graham; E. T.
McAfee, Fischer Store; R. E. McAfee. Irene and R. W. McAfee Graham. |
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EMMETT
EMMETT, Sept. 8. (Spl.) The Emmett community was shocked Sunday afternoon about
1 o'clock to learn that Mrs. W. M. McAfee had passed away. She died a1 the home
of her daughter, Mrs Ollie Daniels of near Emmett She was born in Corsicana, Jan
3, 1867, and was at the time of her death, 65 years of age. She married W. M.
McAfee and to this union thirteen children were born, eleven of whom survive
Thirty grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, two sisters and a number of
other relatives and a great host of friends also survive. She belonged to the
Methodist church of Dawson. She was buried in the Emmett cemetery.
Notes:
-
Corsicana Daily Sun - Sept 9, 1932
-
in the obituary, she
is misidentified as "Mrs. W. M. McAfee" should be "Mrs. H. E. McAfee"
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Corsicana Daily Sun - April
14, 1926
Life and Death of H. E. McAfee
Mr. McAfee was born in Mississippi, July 8, 1859, and
came to Texas at the age 16 years and was converted soon after and joined the M.
E. church of which he has been a most devout and conservative member since. He
was married to Elizabeth Rice Graves in 1880. To this union thirteen children
were born eleven of which are living and were present at the funeral.
Mr. McAfee was faithful man in all religious works, a
kind loving father and husband, never neglecting the family alter around the
fire side, the Holy Bible ever near and well worn with constant use, and seemed
his chief delight to read and ponder over the wonderful truths of God. He was a
teacher in Sunday School for a number of years; the old and young can testify to
the fact that he wasked daily with God. Mr. McAfee was a great lover of music
and composed several songs, two "Whiter Than Snow," and "Will You Miss Me When
I'm Gone," were sung at the funeral. Bro. Wagner of Blooming and Bro. Boldware
expressing many beautiful and kindly deeds done by this noble man. In late
years he had became very despondent, fearing cancer would take him away and it
bore on his mind until he gave way under the strain and on April 6, 1926 ended
it all at the home of his son, Edmond, near the spot where he settled some fifty
year ago. The children talked to him telling how they loved and appreciated him
and want him to stay with them, and encouraged him to take a new hold on life,
but he fearing he would be a burden, didn't encourage them. The noble deeds and
Christian influence will live on and on in the lives of those who knew him. So
amid the heart aches and sorrowing ones his body was lowered to its last resting
place.
One of his old favorites, "The Unclouded Day" was
sung. Thus leaving I. D. McAfee, Corsicana; Mrs. A. Fagala, Blooming Grove;
Mrs. Fred Mitchell, Georgetown; Mrs. R. Smith, Corsicana; Mrs. Steve Johnson,
Graham; Irvin McAfee, Graham; Dee McAfee, Hillsboro; Ollie, Edmond, Rufus and
Richard of Emmet and wife to mourn for a great and noble father and husband. A
great host of other relatives and friends left the flower covered mound, knowing
he had gone to his heavenly home.
One who Loved Him.
The Blooming Grove Times - Friday, April 23, 1926
Submitted by
Karen Rost
WHITER THAN SNOW
H. E. McAfee
Other Articles
W. L. Bailey of Emmett is going to move to
Raleigh and H. E. McAfee of near Blooming Grove is going to move back to his
place at Emmett.
The Corsicana Daily Sun
- Thursday, September 23, 1909
Descendants of Hugh Embury McAfee
1 Hugh Embury McAfee
b: 6 Jul 1859 in Meridian, Lauderdale Co., MS
d: 6 Apr 1926 in Emmett, Navarro Co., TX
Burial: Apr 1926 Prairie Grove Cemetery, Emmett, Navarro Co., TX
+Elizabeth Rice "Bettie" Groves
b: 31 Jan 1867 in Corsicana, Navarro Co., TX
d: 4 Sep 1932 in Emmett, Navarro Co., TX
m: 21 May 1882 in Emmett, Navarro County, TX
Burial: Sep 1932 Prairie Grove Cemetery, Emmett, Navarro Co., TX
2 William Lee McAfee
b: 29 Jan 1883 in Emmett, Navarro Co., TX
d: 11 Feb 1883 in Emmett, Navarro Co.
Burial: Salem Cemetery, Hill Co., TX
(Cemetery Marker)
2 Ira Decherd McAfee
b: 11 Feb 1884 in Emmett or Frost, Navarro Co., TX
d: 27 Feb 1960 in Graham, Young Co., TX
Burial: 1960 Prairie Grove Cemetery, Emmett, Navarro Co., TX
[ Obituary
|
Death Certificate ]
+Nancy Caroline "Nannie" Ballew
b: Dec 1882 in Fetzerton, TN
d: Aug 1948 in Los Angeles Co., CA
Daughter of Absalom Posey Ballew & Partelia Aveline (Coxsey) Ballew
m: 16 Aug 1903 in Navarro Co., TX
Burial: 1948 Prairie Grove Cemetery, Emmett, Navarro Co., TX
+ Lyda York (Miller) McAfee
2 Mattie Mae McAfee
b: 15 Apr 1885 in Emmett, Navarro Co., TX
d: Jan 1974 in Austin, Travis Co., TX
Burial: Dresden Cemetery, Navarro Co., TX; (Obituary)
(Death
Certificate)
+Albert Arthur Fagala
b: 5 Jan 1885 in Dresden, Navarro Co., TX
d: 17 Jan 1952 in Navarro Co., TX
m: 6 May 1906 in Navarro Co., TX, Parsonage of the Blooming Grove Methodist Church
Burial: 19 Jan 1952 Dresden Cemetery, Navarro Co., TX
(Obituary)
(Death
Certificate)
2 Eva Florence McAfee
b: 8 Jan 1887 in Emmett, Navarro Co., TX
d: 13 May 1970 in Dallas Co., TX
Burial: Prairie Grove Cemetery, Emmett, Navarro Co., TX (Obituary)
+Fred White Mitchell
b: 1 Apr 1885 in MS
d: 9 Jun 1956 in Palo Pinto Co., TX
m: 3 May 1903 in Navarro Co., TX
Burial: Prairie Grove Cemetery, Emmett, Navarro Co., TX
(Obituary)
2 Clementine Zolena McAfee
b: 18 Nov 1889 in Emmett, Navarro Co., TX d: 22 Feb 1952 in St Anthony
Hospital, Amarillo, Potter Co., TX.
Burial: Oak Grove Cemetery, Graham, Young Co., TX +Russel Vines Smith
b: 1889 d: 23 Sep 1939 in Young Co., TX m: 28 Dec 1915 in Navarro Co., TX
Burial: Oak Grove Cemetery, Graham, Young Co., TX
2 Henry Clay McAfee b: 12 Jan 1891 d: 10 Feb 1891 in Navarro Co., TX
Burial: Prairie Grove Cemetery, Emmett, Navarro Co., TX
2 Georgie Anna McAfee
b: 21 Feb 1892 in Emmett, Navarro Co., TX
d: 16 Nov 1971 in Graham, Young Co., TX
Burial: Oak Grove, Graham, Young Co., TX
(Obituary)
+John Steven Johnson
b: 1 Dec 1890 in Mertens, Hill Co., TX
d: 7 Jun 1971 in Graham, Young Co.,TX
m: 26 Aug 1913 in Navarro Co., TX
Burial: Nov 17, 1971 at Oak Grove Cemetery, Graham, Young Co., TX
2 Ollie LaVina McAfee
b: 11 Nov 1893 in Emmet, Navarro Co., TX
d: 22 Sep 1970 in Memorial Hospital, Corsicana, Navarro Co., TX
Burial: Prairie Grove Cemetery, Emmett, Navarro Co., TX
(
Obituary
)
+Herman Daniel
b: 25 Jan 1900 in Fairfield, Freestone Co, TX
d: 28 Jan 1972 in Navarro Co., TX
m: 19 Nov 1926 in Navarro Co., TX
Burial: Prairie Grove Cemetery, Emmett, Navarro Co., TX
( Obituary
)
2 Travis Dewitt McAfee b: 2 Oct 1895 in Frost, Navarro Co., TX d: 17
Aug 1967 in Compton, Los Angeles Co., CA
Burial: Ingleside, Los Angeles Co., CA
+Georgia Lee Thorne b: 19 Jan 1897 in Hubbard, TX
d: Aug 1990 probably in Provo, Utah m: 22 Dec 1916
2
Hugh Irvin McAfee
b: 25 Feb 1897 in Emmett, Navarro Co., TX d: 1 Apr 1947 in Graham, Young Co., TX Burial:
Elmwood Cemetery, Bowie, Young Co., TX +Ronie Lee Barnhart b: 1896 in Rowan Co., NC d: 13 Apr 2000
Young Co. TX. [or Sep 2, 1948]
Burial Elmwood Cemetery, Bowie, Montague Co., TX
m: 8 Mar 1916 in Navarro Co., TX
2 Edmond Thomas McAfee b: 16 May 1899 in Frost, Navarro Co., TX
d: 18 Jul 1966 in Arkadelphia, AR Burial: Friendship Cemetery, AR +Ola Dollie "Dutch" Gorham
b: 22 Jan 1897 in Ozan Creek, Wallaceburg Township, near what is now Blevins, Hemstead Co., AR
d: Nov 1984 in AR (probably in Arkadelphia) m: 1921
2 Rufus Evans McAfee
b: 22 Feb 1901 in Emmett, Navarro Co., TX d: 15 Mar 1986 in Hillsboro, Hill Co., TX (in a Hillsboro Hospital)
Burial: Prairie Grove Cemetery, Emmett, Navarro Co., TX ( Biography Page
) +Gladyce Helen Littlejohn b: 21 Jan 1907 in Mertens, Hill Co., TX d:
1 Mar 1997 in Navarro Co., TX
m: 10 Apr 1927 in Navarro Co., TX
2 Richard Weightman McAfee b: 24 May 1906 in Blooming Grove or Frost, Navarro Co., TX
d: 23 Nov 1961 in his home Stoney- Ford, Calif Burial: Paradise, Butte Co., CA
[Obituary] +Charlotte Amelia Kalla *2nd Wife of Richard Weightman McAfee: +Norma Dee Daniel
b: 6 Oct 1908 in Lanely, Freestone Co., TX
d: 9 Jun 2003 (probably in Idaho) m: 15 Oct 1925 in Hill Co., TX
CENSUS 1900 Navarro Co. TX ED 106 Sheet 25b
1910 Navarro Co. TX ED 95 Sheet 17b 1920 Navarro Co. TX ED 162 Sheet 11 Submitted by Edward L. Williams
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